MIKE ZEISBERGER, QMI Agency

Even though the Cowboys are still at .500, “Big D” seems to stand for “Big Disappointment” in north Texas these days.

Frustrations are bubbling so high in the wake of the Cowboys 34-18 loss to the Chicago Bears, the rumour mill is heating up again regarding the short leash coach Jason Garrett might be on.

In fact, there already has been speculation that Sean Payton could be a candidate to step in after this season if Cowboys owner Jerry Jones decides to pull the trigger. Payton, of course, is the suspended coach of the Saints who must sit out a year for his alleged part in Bounty Gate.

With all this going on, the Dallas Morning News asked Payton on Tuesday if he would ever be interested in the Cowboys job.

“I’d rather answer a bounty question,” Payton said sarcastically.

Payton’s name will certainly be tossed around if the Cowboys don’t have a successful season. Then again, we’re guessing that he’s probably more concerned with getting the Saints back on track.

At least for now.

STEELERS STRONGER

There could be one mean scowl and a lot of flailing hair rejoining the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive huddle this weekend.

According to head coach Mike Tomlin, rugged linebacker James Harrison (right) and flamboyant safely Troy Polamalu, (left) both former NFL defensive players of the year, are expected to return from injury on Sunday when the 1-2 Steelers host the 3-1 Philadelphia Eagles at Heinz Field. Both players have resumed practising.

Polamalu missed two consecutive games with a strained right calf, while Harrison hasn’t played this season after undergoing knee surgery in August.

“We’ll see what happens, but it’s been a while since we’ve all been on the field together,” Polamalu told reporters. “There are some other new faces out there who have been permanent starters, so it’s all about how well 11 guys mesh on our defence.”

The Steelers may also be buoyed by the potential return of running back Rashard Mendenhall, who likely will make his 2012 regular season debut after tearing his ACL in the final game of last season.

CUTLER FIRES A SHOT

Jay Cutler’s body language continues to draw more attention than his stats or win-loss record.

First, there was the media brouhaha that broke out after he shoved one of his own offensive linemen in frustration during a loss in Green Bay last month.

If that wasn’t enough of a distraction, now comes the controversial aftermath of his exchange — or, in this case, lack of an exchange — with offensive coordinator Mike Tice during Monday’s 34-18 win in Dallas.

When Tice sat down beside Cutler on the bench early in the game, a seemingly agitated Cutler immediately got up and walked away. When pressed about the incident after the game, the Bears quarterback claimed the media should not blow everything out of proportion and suggested he merely left the bench to get a drink of water.

Just thirsty, eh Jay?

Meanwhile, how must Tice feel? Less than 24 hours after many thought he was being snubbed by Cutler, his quarterback told ESPN 1000 that the offensive coordinator was “figuring out calling plays.”

Figuring out? Really?

Sure sounds like a subtle shot at Tice. doesn’t it?

HOLMES’ SEASON OVER?

We interrupt the Tim Tebow-Mark Sanchez debate to ask the following question:

If the New York Jets don’t have any established wideouts to throw to, is it really going to matter who the New York Jets start at quarterback?

With all-world defensive back Darrelle Revis already gone for the season, indications out of New York on Tuesday suggested wide receiver Santonio Holmes (pictured) could very well suffer the same fate due to a foot injury suffered against the San Francisco 49ers.

If the reports prove to be true and Holmes is done, the Jets will be left with rookie Stephen Hill, who is battling hamstring issues, and Jeremy Kerley as their starting wideouts. An ominous scenario indeed.

EXTRA POINTS

Great to see that Raiders wideout Darrius Heyward-Bey took part in stretches and drills with Oakland’s first-team offence on Tuesday. Just nine days earlier, Heyward-Bay was carted off the field with a concussion and strained neck in a game against Pittsbugh ... With his team off to a disappointing 1-3 start, Lions president Tom Lewand has put the onus on quarterback Matthew Stafford to pick up his game. “I would say that Matthew, in particular, is capable of playing better,” Lewand said, according to the Detroit Free Press ... As he attempts to break Johnny Unitas’ NFL record for consecutive games with a touchdown pass, Drew Brees has received a letter of encouragement for Joe Unitas, Johnny’s son, that is posted on the Saints facebook page. A touchdown pass Sunday against the Chargers, his former team, would be the 48th consecutive game in which Brees has thrown for a score ... Eagles running back LeSean McCoy told a Philadelphia radio station that he and Giants defensive lineman Osi Umenyiora have agreed to end their feud. Last week McCoy called the Giant defender a “ballerina.”